Astros Leak Shows Duquette Priorities

If you missed the news, the Houston Astros had a bit of a leak, where a metric butt-ton of 2013 information from the front office found its way to the internet (check out Deadspin’s coverage here). Among the interesting tid-bits was the Astros’ internal notes on dealing with Dan Duquette for Bud Norris. The Astros wanted the moon to trade for Norris. Here are the three relevant references:

DD called JL and expressed continued interest in Norris. JL said that for us to consider it at this point it would have to revolve around Bundy or Gaussman. DD said no on Gaussman but did not dismiss Bundy out of hand. DD said he ahd to talk to his doctors to really see what was going on.

DD said he would not do Bundy. Suggested Mike Wright and Pedro Strop

DD checked to see if we saw a Norris deal without Bundy. JL said that was unlikely bud we’d be willing to add to Norris to get Bundy.

First, this entire set of notes is a fascinating look into the inner workings of a MLB front office. Secondly, it shows us a few things about Dan Duquette (DD). Duquette wouldn’t part with Gausman to get pitching at the deadline, but was not as quick to dismiss the idea of trading Bundy. Maybe it was simply a way to keep the lines of communication open, but maybe it’s a sign that the Orioles seriously considered shopping Bundy as part of a package to shore up their immediate pitching need.

It’s also interesting that, when all failed to acquired the Orioles’ two top prospects, the Astros were unable (or uninterested?) to move on to Mike Wright. Does this speak to his perceived value in the industry, or did the Astros simply view the final haul as the best possible package Norris could net?

In the end, the Astros leak doesn’t provide us anything more than a “snapshot in time” in the Orioles’ front office. Health and performance could have changed the entire landscape of Baltimore’s farm system, and their strategy in utilizing those resources.